Gadget-tastic (The Gadget Show)

Member Name: cerys82

Product:	The Gadget Show
Date:	22/09/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun, entertaining

Disadvantages: none

I think that its fair to say that The Gadget Show is one of Channel Five's flagship shows. On a channel that relies far too heavily on second rate US imports (yet managed to lose House.....), and ....um...Matthew Wright it truly is a homegrown shining star. It is split into series but seems to be shown for most of the year.

It is now on its twelfth series and unlike motoring show Fifth Gear, doesn't seem to be an inferior imitation of anything on one of the more successful channels.

It has had a number of presenters come and go over the years but has always had the holy trinity of Jon Bentley, Jason Bradbury and Suzi Perry. These are all extremely likeable presenters, highly excitable and passionate about gadgets without being smug *cough* Top Gear *cough*.

The show lasts an hour and is currently shown on Monday nights at 9. It is a veritable mix of news, testing, experiments, challenges and one mother of a competition. Those who work on the show work hard to keep it feeling fresh and as up-to-date as the gadgets they feature. The list of gadget genres they feature is extensive, going from spy-type technology and surveilance to more homegrown everyday pursuits such as keep-fit and camping.

The testing of products and their 'up to 5 g' rating system seems fair but they don't linger over the ins and outs of the product, instead giving snappy synopsis about any pros and cons wich enable the viewer to make their own decision about a possible process - what is also impressive is that they compare the functionality of products to their prices making it all feel a bit more accessible.

I have to mention the competition, because it is one of the most famous features of the programme and because it is just so impressive. On the face of it its just like any phone or text in competition with a easy question. The price fund is generally worth upwards of £15,000 with numerous TVs, games consoles, tried and tested gadgets and novelty items up for grabs for one lucky viewer (geeezzz I'm starting to sound like the voiceover). Every week my husband thinks he'll get it - I would worry about our electricity bill as well as my sanity if he did!

That said, there does seem to be an increased awareness on the show of 'green issues', in particular energy efficiency and carbon output. However, it is only so far that can go with this ethos - ultimately this isn't a show extolling the virtues of reading a book by candlelight.

Often they get celebrities with a particular interest or expertise in an activity to test products which works very well. Often the presenters will set themselves a challenge and the show is broken up by these activities, using a wide range of gadgets.

As you would expect from a programme of this nature, the website which you can find courtesy of five's website is also really good and has features and extra footage that were not shown in the programme and is also updated between series.

The show is also good in that it doesn't alienate its viewers by only focussing on the most expensive gadgets out there, thereby making it accessible.

All I'm going to say is that I am not a gadget fan in general (despite a long standing love affair with my ipod), I personally think e-readers are the work of the devil (books bounce when you drop them, they don't malfunction!) - however I find this programme to be great entertainment.

Summary: A rare hit for channel 5